Discover the Causes of Acid Reflux
If you or a loved one suffers from acid reflux you will find yourself asking what are the causes of acid reflux?
Everyone experiences temporary acid reflux as a result of overeating, participating in drinking or smoking or being stressed out to the point of experiencing mental or emotional stress. All of these can be causes for acid reflux. Other causes for acid reflux include abnormal biologic or structural factors.
One cause for acid reflux can be malfunction of the lower esophageal sphincter the LES muscles. This is the band of muscle that allows food to flow from esophagus to stomach and this is one reason why acid reflux exists. A weak muscle value will allow stomach content to back up into the esophagus. There are many things that can affect this muscle as in dietary substances, use of certain medications, and nervous system factors that weaken the muscle as well cause some malfunction to the sphincter muscle.
Another cause is impaired stomach function, which is another abnormality where the stomach muscles do not contract normally in order to mix food. There is usually a delay in emptying of the stomach and of course the chance for back up of contents.
Another abnormality that may cause acid reflux is an abnormality of the esophagus. Symptoms of an abnormality of the esophagus are hoarseness, a chronic cough, and having to clear the throat numerous. There may also be motility problems within the esophagus, which prevents the food from getting into the stomach.
Hiatal hernia is another cause for acid reflex.
This is where there is a small hole in the diaphragm that allows stomach contents and acid escape and back up into the esophagus. Part of the stomach emerges called the “hiatal hernia”.
Genetic factors may also be at the root of acid reflux and include both inherited muscular and structural problems of the stomach or esophagus. Barrett’s esophagus is a prime example of genetic factors influences the cause of acid reflux.
Asthma is another cause for acid reflux. Researchers believe that it is the coughing and sneezing of the asthma that may initiate changes in the physical trigger for the acid reflux. Drug prescribed for the asthma can also have an impact on the function of the muscles that control the emptying of the stomach contents and the chance for back up into the esophagus.
A chronic disease called, Crohn’s disease may be a cause for the condition.
Other conditions that may have a bearing on acid reflux are diabetes, and any gastrointestinal disorder, cancer, lymphomas, and peptic ulcer.
Certain medications can lead to the risk to cause acid reflux including NSAIDs. An occasional pill will not harm anyone; it is the constant use of certain medications that may contribute to acid reflux.
